Scientist Apprenticeship - UCB

We are seeking a motivated candidate driven by intellectual curiosity to join the Musculoskeletal Team as an Apprentice within the Resolution of Inflammation Focus Area. As an Apprentice, you will have a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and learn from a variety of experienced professionals within a cutting-edge pharmaceutical research environment while pursuing a university degree.

Qualification Requirements

• 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) grade A*-C (4-9) Inc Maths, English and Science, and

• You must have gained a minimum of 80 UCAS points from a minimum of 2 A-level subjects including Biology (or equivalent, e.g. BTEC) and an additional Science or Maths.

Salary - £21,000 per annum

Annual salary review. Apprenticeship programme has a salary structure with annual increases subject to progress on the apprenticeship and performance in the workplace.

Benefits

• Holiday Allowance - 28 Days Holiday Allowance, plus Bank Holidays

• Pension - Employee 5%, Employer 3%

• Flexible working

• Casual dress

• Discount schemes

• Employee Assistance programme

• Onsite parking

• Onsite canteen

• Paid sick leave once out of probation

• Days off for volunteering

• Employee recognition / awards

Location - Currently: UCB Biopharma UK

216 Bath Road,

Slough, Berkshire, SL1 3WE

Moving soon to: Sunninghill Road,

Windlesham,

Surrey, GU20 6PP

Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm with 1 hour lunch break.

Duration - 60 months

Start Date - September 2026

Interview Date - August 2026

Closing Date for Applications - 7th August 2026

To Apply
To apply, please click the Apply Now button and complete the form. Once you submit, you will receive an email to verify your email address that will then submit your application to us. If you do not receive an email confirming your application, please check with us that this has been submitted.

If you are having difficulty in completing this, please contact recruitment on View email address on vacancies.cogentskills.com for assistance

Next Steps

Successful candidates will be progressed to a one way video interview, invites will be sent via email.

The video interview will be reviewed by the Hiring Manager

Job Description

The Resolution of Inflammation Focus Area is a dynamic and multicultural team including experienced scientists ranging from cell to tissue biologists including in vitro and in vivo pharmacologists. Within this Focus Area, the Musculoskeletal Team supports the biology of the early stage drug discovery process of targets relevant to skeletal disorders.

As an Apprentice, you will balance work-based learning with academic studies, applying theoretical knowledge to practical research challenges. Starting with building an understanding of the scientific method you will implement your new skills to contribute to the drug discovery process. You will create solid foundation in the anatomy of the skeletal tissues and the pathobiology of skeletal conditions while supporting research activities aimed at understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying human diseases.

In the lab you will learn key techniques utilised in early drug discovery including cell and tissue culture of primary cells, molecular biology, flow cytometry, histology and imaging. In addition to classic single cell 2D cultures, you will become familiar with complex in vitro models such as 3D cultures, organoids and organ on a chip, which are increasingly being used within the drug discovery process as they better mimic human physiology, improve translational relevance and enable disease modelling. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the generation of large data sets and to learn bioinformatics tools enabling analysis and visualisation of such data sets. Part of the role will require troubleshooting and optimisation of specific techniques as well as critical thinking. As part of your role, you will maintain accurate and detailed laboratory records in compliance with company standards. A dedicated supervisor and mentor will guide and support you during your time at UCB, making sure you receive all the trainings required for you to work in the lab, analyse and interpret scientific data, prepare and deliver scientific presentations.

As well as working with colleagues within the Resolution of Inflammation Focus Area, the role will also allow interaction with colleagues from other departments allowing a complete understanding of the industry working mode.

By developing your technical and soft skills you will have the opportunity to contribute to advance our early stage drug discovery efforts.

• Curiosity and eagerness to learn

• Critical thinking and problem solving

• Integrity and ethics

• Verbal and written communication skills

Candidate Requirements

Skills required

• Good written and oral communication skills

• Ability to deliver assignments to timelines

• Problem solving skills

• Good numerical and IT skills

Personal qualities

• Highly motivated

• Scientific curiosity and will to learn

• Focused and with good attention to detail

• Demonstrates reliability and integrity

• A team worker and considerate to members of team and wider organisation

Training To Be Delivered

Qualification to be delivered: BSc Applied BioScience

Apprenticeship Standard: Level 6 Scientist

Training Provider: University of Kent

Delivery model: Online

Future Prospects

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will be eligible to apply for other positions within the business. The training will expose the apprentice to a wide range of skills and competencies which would make them well placed for further study or suitable for many job opportunities in the life sciences sector.

Things To Be Considered

Please ensure that you currently live within or can relocate to a commutable distance of the site

The individual will be working within a laboratory environment and must therefore adhere to site dress code procedures and personal hygiene standards during testing activities (e.g. correct use of PPE such as laboratory coats and glasses; and removal of all jewellery and make-up upon entry into controlled clean room areas).

The individual will be required to handle hazardous materials (e.g. chemicals, microorganisms) and so must adhere to the relevant procedures.

About UCB

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, with a focus on neurology and immunology.